Call it a terrific time to shift into reverse and allow nostalgia to shine.
Therein lies as apt a description as any for the 22nd Annual Hot Rods and Rock & Roll scheduled from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday along Washington Street in downtown Columbus. The free mix of classic cars and classic rock has drawn as many as an estimated 8,000 people over several hours to the gathering presented by 106.1 The River radio station.
When ever-popular band Rick K and the Allnighters open the concert portion at 7 p.m., the audience sometimes has resembled a throng, according to organizers.
“You can usually see no (street) blacktop when the concert starts,” said Bob Morrison, station manager at 106.1 The River.
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He has attended every show, which never has been rained out — though clouds did break loose a number of years ago just at the close of the two-hour concert. And in 2016, it rained just before the event began. He laughed about the radio crew doing an anti-rain dance.
“That’s definitely a group dance,” he said.
Morrison said the music ensemble, which has played the event for at least the past 12 years, knows how to work the crowd into a frenzy, and have a great time doing it. Lead singer Rick Kay, enough of a car nut that he once drove a 1965 Ford Galaxy convertible, is known to venture into the crowd to sing and dance.
“When we brought in another band one year, the only thing people asked us at that event was ‘Where’s Rick K?’” Morrison said. “He and the band always have been so family friendly.”
Morrison said Kay possesses a gift for getting everyone involved — significant when the crowd includes “everything from strollers to walkers” as the station manager put it.
Columbus resident Ronnie Lawson, president of the Model A Restorers Club, is among the auto enthusiasts who have attended past Hot Rods and Rock & Roll events. And he may be there Saturday, too.
“I think a lot of the people go for a very simple reason — to look at all the shiny vehicles,” Lawson said. “Or they like the idea of reminiscing whatever they drove as a teenager.”
One change to this year’s gathering is that food vendors will not be there. Morrison said organizers decide to tell attendees to grab a bite at downtown restaurants.
“We want very much to be good neighbors with everyone,” Morrison said. “That’s why we’re being very intentional with the food.”
The station manager mentioned that he’s grateful for the 20-plus sponsors who keep the event free.
“This is just a wonderful opportunity to celebrate,” Morrison said.
Event T-shirts for $5 will be available. A few giveaways will be featured.
“I think this show works so well primarily because of the niceness of the downtown, and because the streets are lined with trees,” Morrison said. “And downtown gives it that community feel.”
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What: 22nd Annual Hot Rods and Rock & Roll, presented by 106.1 The River classic radio station.
When: 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Car show begins at 3. Concert with classic hits cover band Rick K. & the Allnighters runs from 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: Fourth and Washington streets in downtown Columbus.
Admission: Free.
Food: Available at downtown restaurants. Beverages available at the event.
Information: 1061theriver.com.
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